Policing Firearms: Evolution of Tactics and Strategies

We outline the tactical and developmental strategies employed by UK law enforcement to keep ahead of OCGs and other users of illicit firearms, and address the question of whether UK law enforcement has the capability to stay ahead of criminal use of firearms and in the pursuit of terrorists. Our focus is on the R&D of tactics, weapons, accessories, ammunition types, intelligence, and other equipment, and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies used in (c)overt law enforcement supported by specialist firearms operations. We consider the interoperability between UK Law enforcement and UK military around counter terrorism. We draw on real-world examples and experiential understanding of these strategies, contextualised within the UK legal framework on firearms, and discuss whether this framework remains fit for purpose. We will also consider the commonality and fundamental differences in the strategies and tactics to this issue globally, and contrast the strategies employed in the UK and elsewhere, e.g. South Africa and El Salvador, to see if there are lessons which can be shared supra-nationally. We conclude that this type of proactive, technologically-aware, disruptive approach is preferable to the more reactive approach taken in some nations, but that it will only be truly impactful if it is effected in conjunction with wider societal and legislative efforts.